Apparatus for fitting and dismantling a crankshaft bearing cap in an internal combustion engine

Abstract

The apparatus is provided with a piston-and-cylinder unit which carries a flange for abutting under the bearing cap as well as a pre-loading press which is mounted on an arm which extends radially from the piston-and-cylinder unit. The arm is movable together with the piston-and-cylinder unit so as to be positioned below the bolts which secure the bearing cap in place. The arm has a guide device mounted at the end which permits axial and rotating movements of the pre-loading press and is surrounded by a spring by which the press is carried.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for fitting and dismantling a crankshaft bearing cap in an internal combustion engine, said apparatus comprising a piston-and-cylinder unit for placement beneath a bearing cap;   an arm extending radially from said unit to beneath a bolt securing the bearing cap in place;   a guide device on said arm and aligned with the bolt;   a spring surrounding said device; and   a pre-loading press guided on said guide device for rotary and axial movement and resting on said spring.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said device includes a stud fixed on said arm and extending into said press. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which further comprises a roller thrust bearing between said spring and said press. 
     
     
       4. In combination with a bearing cap for a crankshaft journal, a plurality of bolts and a plurality of nuts, each nut being secured to a screwthread of a respective bolt against said bearing cap for securing said cap about the journal; an apparatus for fitting and dismantling said bearing cap on and off the journal, said apparatus comprising a piston-and-cylinder unit for placement beneath said bearing cap, said unit including at least one reciprocable piston;   an arm extending radially from said unit to beneath a respective bolt;   a guide device on said arm and aligned with said bolt;   a spring surrounding said device; and   a pre-loading press guided on said guide device for rotary and axial movement and resting on said spring.   
     
     
       5. The combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said press has a screwthread of a diameter equal to said screwthread of said nut. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus for dismantling a crankshaft bearing cap from a crankshaft journal of an internal combustion engine, said apparatus comprising a piston-and-cylinder unit including a plurality of reciprocable pistons disposed in telescoping relation, and a flange at one end of an innermost piston;   an arm disposed radially of said unit;   means for selectively securing said arm to said flange of said unit;   a guide device at an end of said arm, said guide device including an upstanding stud;   a pre-loading press guided on said stud for rotary and axial movement to prestress a bolt paassing through a bearing cap of an internal combustion engine; and   a spring surrounding said stud and supporting said press thereon.   
     
     
       7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said flange has a diametric bore and said means includes a ring having a radial bore for aligning with said bore of said flange, a sleeve depending from said ring and having said arm fixed thereto in radial relation, and a pin for selective passage through said bores of said ring and said flange. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said ring has an inside diameter greater than one of said pistons and smaller than another of said pistons to rest on said another piston in an inoperative position. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 which further comprises a roller thrust bearing between said spring and said press. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said press includes a pair of annular parts having mating stepped surfaces, and a conduit in one of said parts for supplying hydraulic fluid to between said surfaces to effect a separation of said parts from each other.